Chelsea produced a dramatic comeback to beat Napoli 3-2 and secure a top-eight finish, knocking the Italian champions out of the Champions League.
Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea an early lead from the penalty spot after Reece James’ free-kick struck the hand of Juan Jesus. Napoli responded with intensity and turned the game around before half-time through goals from Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund.
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Vergara’s stunning strike came after he escaped Moises Caicedo and turned Wesley Fofana before firing past Robert Sanchez, while Hojlund added a second moments later with a first-time finish from Mathias Olivera’s low cross.
Cole Palmer, returning from a thigh problem, was introduced at half-time and transformed the contest. He set up Joao Pedro for a powerful equaliser from the edge of the box in the 61st minute before releasing the Brazilian striker on the counter-attack for the decisive goal in the 82nd minute.
Former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku went close to a late equaliser, but his effort was saved by Sanchez as Chelsea held on.
The result sends Chelsea straight into the last 16 and spares them a two-legged February play-off, while Napoli’s Champions League campaign comes to a painful end.
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